Pakistan Law Minister Hamid resigns over Faizabad fiasco

Pakistan Law Minister Zahid Hamid has tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, in the face of the growing countrywide protests by religious zealots over the Khatam-e-Nabuwwat clause fiasco. The protests followed Saturday's crackdown by the police and paramilitary personnel on Islamabad sit-in staged by a religious group.

Hamid's resignation will be accepted later in the day, sources told Geo News. "I was not directly responsible for the introduction of the controversial amendment to the Finality of Prophethood declaration for electoral candidates," said Hamid, adding, "In order to restore peace in the country, I have decided to step down from my position." Earlier on Sunday, Hamid also called on Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif">Shehbaz Sharif in c to share his views on the present situation in Pakistan.

The 'Faizabad dharna' started after the cleric, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, and his followers demanded resignation of Hamid, as they saw the change in the words of an oath taken by the lawmakers as blasphemy. Though the change was reversed, the protestors continued to demand Hamid's resignation. The protests which took place in Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resulted in at least one death and left dozens injured, besides the 250 injuries reported in Islamabad.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had warned it would not cover Faizabad sit-in during a police crackdown on the protestors. Following the PEMRA order, there was a media blackout in Islamabad, where almost all leading private TV channels went off air.